The new head of Seattle schools begins work after a shooting, the Seahawks arrived for the Super Bowl, and a shooting occurred at a historic garage.
New Seattle schools chief starts amid tragedy
On Monday, Feb. 2, new superintendent of Seattle Public Schools Ben Shuldiner officially began his duties. His first day on the job began with a public briefing at Mercer Middle School on Beacon Hill, which was streamed live on the district’s YouTube channel. The event marked the start of his leadership of a large school district, but it was overshadowed by a tragedy that occurred the night before in the Rainier Beach neighborhood.
The briefing opened with school board president Gina Topp, who gave a short speech and administered the oath to Shuldiner. The new superintendent, previously working in Lansing, Michigan, expressed enthusiasm about starting the role. He vowed to be actively engaged, to personally visit every school and classroom, and to work closely with local communities to create the best conditions for all students. He placed particular emphasis on safety. As noted in the West Seattle Blog piece, Shuldiner took office after the tragedy that occurred Friday evening in Rainier Beach and underscored his commitment to actions that strengthen student safety and security.
Thus, Shuldiner begins his work in Seattle at a difficult moment, when not only education quality but also the urgent need to ensure safety in schools and their surrounding communities comes to the fore. His approach—combining personal involvement in each school with community collaboration—will be tested in real conditions. The success of his tenure will depend largely on how effectively he can make these promises a reality, especially in light of recent sorrowful events that have set an immediate and serious context for his priorities.
Final buildup before the battle: Seahawks and Patriots arrive for Super Bowl LX
In the world of American football, the culminating week has arrived. Preparations for Super Bowl LX have officially started, and the two participating teams have already arrived in California. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots landed at San José airport to begin the final stretch toward the NFL’s top trophy, to be contested on Feb. 8, 2026.
As The Seattle Times reports, the teams arrived on Sunday, Feb. 1, and immediately dispersed to their training bases. The Patriots, who arrived in the afternoon, set up in Santa Clara, where Levi’s Stadium—the site of the upcoming final—is located. The Seahawks chose San José for lodging and training and will use the facilities at San José State University. This arrival marks the start of the traditional “Super Bowl week,” filled not only with practices but also with numerous media events.
The first major event this week will be “Open Night” on Monday, formerly known as Media Day. This large press conference has players and coaches from both teams answering reporters’ questions in an informal setting, often producing memorable quotes and offering a behind-the-scenes look at preparations. Beginning Tuesday, the teams will engage in intensive practice sessions on California fields, refining tactics and studying opponents’ weaknesses. For fans, it’s a time of anticipation and analysis: Seahawks supporters hope their team can avenge the loss in Super Bowl XLIX, recalled in archival footage in which Brandon Brauner reflects on the injuries inflicted on the Seahawks in that game. Team arrivals are always a spectacle full of emotion and determination, visible in footage of Seahawks players deplaning in Newark and Arizona in previous years. Now all eyes are on San José and the upcoming clash at Levi’s Stadium, which will determine the champion of the 2025–2026 season.
Shooting at the famous "Sinking Ship" garage in Seattle: one dead, three wounded
On Sunday morning, a shooting at the famous "Sinking Ship" garage in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square left one person dead and three others wounded. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 1, when police responded to reports of gunfire at an address on 2nd Avenue. Upon arrival, responders found a man with a gunshot wound to the head, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims, a man and a woman, were also found on site: the man, with life-threatening injuries, was transported to Harborview Medical Center, and the woman, who suffered a less serious grazing gunshot wound, was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Later, a fourth victim arrived at a hospital on their own with a tangential gunshot wound; their condition was reported as stable.
According to FOX 13 Seattle, detectives determined that a physical altercation broke out in the garage and escalated into a shooting involving several people. No suspects in the shooting have been detained so far, although two people were arrested at the scene for disturbing the peace. Police are asking anyone with information to call the violent crimes tip line at 206-233-5000; anonymous tips are accepted.
This incident drew attention not only for its violence but also for its location. The Sinking Ship garage, built in 1962, is an architectural landmark, though its construction sparked protests because it replaced the once-grand Seattle Hotel. Despite initial disapproval, in 2019 Architizer named it the “coolest parking spot” in the U.S. Pioneer Square, where the garage is located, has been Seattle’s first historic district since 1970, underscoring its cultural significance. The tragedy serves as a reminder of urban violence issues even in iconic places and raises questions about safety in public spaces.
